Who hasn’t heard about the controversy over the conservation (cleaning) of the Sistine Chapel ceiling? Its been years since it was resolved and I still get questions about it. It’s interesting that much of the early debate was fueled by some early photos of the areas which were first cleaned. These areas were overlit with flood lights that were pre-existing. It appeared, in the washed out photos, that the areas being treated had been over-cleaned.

Lighting a painting correctly often seems like something of a mystery. Yet, in the absence of help, we often just “figure something out” given the restrictions of our homes or offices. But I am often asked about the effects or possible damage from difference kinds of lighting.

So, let’s take a few moments to talk about the different types of lighting and the differences between them:

Different kinds of lighting include: tungsten or incandescent (regular filament light bulbs), fluorescent (long tubes), halogen (high intensity small bulbs), natural daylight, and CFL energy saving bulbs.

This may seem odd, but each different kind of light source has a different color temperature and shows off your artwork in a different way. Let me give you a quick run down on each:

Tungsten or incandescent lights include the traditional picture lights, most spot lights or flood lights and most home lighting. As the bulb gets older, the light turns more orange. In the case of a picture light where the bulb is close to the painting you need to be careful of how much heat is put off by the bulb. You don’t want the artwork to even get warm. The light put out by these types of lamps is most often uneven and will not give you true colors. Be aware that the bulbs don’t give off their best light very long (20 hours of use max). This is the traditional bulb. We’re used to the look. But there are better ways.

Fluorescent lighting is more typically found in office environments. They give artwork a greenish cast. Look around and see how the wood finishes and the carpets have faded under these lights. They seem to suck the fugitive colors and inks out of sensitive artwork, documents and posters.

Halogen light bulbs are increasing in popularity because of their intensity. While they also go orang-ish with age, they hold their color better and the light is truer to daylight. They are an excellent choice when you are trying to light an item from a distance and where heat is not a risk. Often, halogen bulbs can put out too much heat for close up illumination. But check out the different kinds; some may stay fairly cool. There are some very nice new designs out there that go well in contemporary settings. The distance they place the bulb from the artwork makes them safe and the artwork looks great.
Daylight is the light with which we like to see art. It shows off the truest colors. But, it fades fugitive colors and inks, of course. The UV content in daylight is only part of the problem. The intensity of the light and the amount of exposure can fade sensitive colors even if all the UV is filtered out. Also, remember to avoid heat build up in rooms with lots of light… but that’s another set of problems for another article.

CFL energy saving bulbs are all the rage. They give off more UV than regular bulbs but the amount is still very small and not a risk to paintings. As said before, limit exposure to watercolors and other items you’re afraid might fade. The color of the light is very green when its turned on but then gets whiter as the bulb warms up. But the final light is still greenish as with other fluorescent bulbs. They do put out 75% less heat than the regular bulbs and last 10 times longer. I put these into an area for art display and didn’t like how the paintings looked. But after awhile we got used to it and haven’t changed them out… yet. I guess the jury’s still out.

So, what to do? Here are 5 tips to remember:

1. Know your artwork. Fading of colors should not be a problem with oil paintings (in general) under reasonable light intensity. But, the same amount of light for an oil painting could mean trouble for watercolors, documents, textiles and ethnic items if you don’t take precautions.

2. You can get UV filters that go over almost all types of bulbs, housing for lights or on your windows and are available from window suppliers and conservation supply houses. You can buy glazing for framed items with UV filters. But remember, UV exposure is only part of the equation. The amount of exposure to light intensity will also fade sensitive colors even when the UV is filtered out.

3. Keep light sensitive items in darker areas that only get lit at night and periodically.

4. Keep everything out of direct sunlight, for many reasons.

5. New lighting fixtures are stylish and better quality lighting than the old traditional picture lights. Look around on the internet for choices to fit the style of your artwork, your budget and your surroundings.

Of course, none of the above information will get the proper lighting installed in just the right place and in just the right way. You’ll need a professional electrician for that.

The above information presented as a public service by your friends at Lon Lockwood Electric!